CHAPTER VII.

THE REIGN OF GEORGE IV. (_concluded_).

Opinions of the Irish Government on the Catholic Question--Renewal of the Catholic Claims by Burdett--Vesey Fitzgerald accepts the Board of Trade--O'Connell opposes him for Clare--His Reputation--His Backers--Father Murphy's Speech--O'Connell to the Front--The Nomination--O'Connell's Speech--The Election--Return of O'Connell--Anglesey's Precautions--Peel's Reflections on the Clare Election--Anglesey describes the State of Ireland--Peel wishes to resign--The Duke wavers--Anglesey urges Concession--Insurrection probable--Wellington determines on Retreat--Why he and Peel did not resign--The Viceroy's Opinion--Military Organisation of the Peasantry--The Brunswick Clubs--Perplexity of the Government--O'Connells "Moral Force"--The Liberator Clubs--Dawson's Speech--"No Popery" in England--The Morpeth Banquet--The Leinster Declaration--Wellington's Letter to Dr. Curtis--Anglesey's Correspondence with O'Connell--The Premier censures the Viceroy--Anglesey dismissed--He is succeeded by Northumberland--Difficulties with the King and the English Bishops--Peel determines to remain--His Views communicated to the King--The King yields--Opening of the Session--Peel defeated at Oxford University--Suppression of the Catholic Association--The Announcement in the King's Speech--Peel introduces the Relief Bill--Arguments of the Opposition--The Bill passes the Commons--The Duke's Speech--It passes the Lords by large Majorities--The King withdraws his Consent--He again yields--His Communication to Eldon--Numbers of the Catholics in Britain--The Duke's Duel with Winchilsea--Bill for the disfranchisement of "the Forties"--O'Connell presents himself to be sworn--He refuses to take the Oaths--He is heard at the Bar--Fresh Election for Clare--O'Connell's new Agitation--The Roman Catholic Hierarchy--Riots in the Manufacturing Districts--Attempt to mitigate the Game Laws--Affairs of Portugal--Negotiations with the Canningites--Pitched Battles in Ireland--Meeting of Parliament--Debate on the Address--Burdett's Attack on Wellington--The Opposition proposes Retrenchments--The Duke's Economies--Prosecution of Mr. Alexander--Illness and Death of George IV. 268